(CNN) - Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, the second most powerful Democrat in the Senate, said Sunday that his party does not have the votes they need to pass a tax cut extension for families making less than $250,000 a year.

"I can count, and I know you can too," Durbin told CNN's Candy Crowley on State of the Union. "We have 59 Democrats and not a single Republican in the Senate supports our position."

Democrats need 60 votes in the Senate to overcome a Republican filibuster and pass their tax extension legislation.

The White House and Senate Democratic leaders want to extend tax cuts for families making less than $250,000 a year, while allowing tax cuts for those who make more than that to expire. Republicans–and some Democrats–support the extension of tax cuts for all Americans, regardless of income level.

Durbin said the "only realistic way to address" the issue is to wait until after November's mid-term elections when Republicans are more likely to side with Democrats as a looming deadline approaches. If Congress fails to act, all of the tax cuts will expire, thus raising taxes for Americans at all income levels.

Republicans siding with Democrats is likely going to be one of the only options, as the GOP is poised to make significant gains in both houses of Congress this November.

soundoff(15 Responses)

diridi

just stay together on one word...let pres. Obama lead...he is having brain...and thinking power...good for the nation...GOP thugs shipped jobs to India, China, etc, GOP thugs are sold out to Saudi Arabia...20 dollar gas will not be 76 dollar barrel...o.k... we need more fuel efficient cars, with solid warranty with cheaper price....

September 26, 2010 11:46 am at 11:46 am |

Eric-31m

Then he shouldn't let the Bush tax cuts expire, which would result in a tax hike for all tax brackets. With this economy there should be no tax hikes imposed on anyone.

September 26, 2010 11:47 am at 11:47 am |

phoenix86

Democrats have absolute control of the House and a filibuster proof majority in the Senate as well as occupying the White House.

Tell me, how in the world can republicans block anything?

Durbin should start taking responsibility for bills that even democrats vote against and stop blaming republicans. I

September 26, 2010 11:48 am at 11:48 am |

vic, Nashville TN

Sen. Dick Durbin the fact is you all drag the health care bill debate to long all these problems consequence of that democrats has to learn from republicans how to bully

Then you will have votes

September 26, 2010 11:50 am at 11:50 am |

Annie, Atlanta

Why is there an obscenely disproportionate amount of Republicans on the Sunday talk shows? Is it because the media is owned by corporate America, and Republicans are wholly owned subsidiaries of corporate America, along with Blue Dog Democrats? Anyone else sick of seeing the Cheneys, Lieberman, Graham, Boehner, McConnell, McCain ad nauseum?

September 26, 2010 11:57 am at 11:57 am |

Greater Good

Wait, you mean the Republicans who say they're looking out for the average Americans are going to block something that will help the average American? Unheard of. Yeah, go ahead guys, gloat all you want in November, but you better turn your words into action because YOU WILL be under a microscope. Shipping jobs overseas and tax breaks for billionaires–if you think that's going to help the average American, you must have been hibernating from 2000-2008. Meanwhile, Dems, maybe you can grow a spine between 2010-2012.

September 26, 2010 12:02 pm at 12:02 pm |

Yes, we can count, DumboDurbin!

We KNOW that DumboDems have a majority everywhere - so ya want to blame Republicans for ANYTHING? Funny, Dumbo!

September 26, 2010 12:07 pm at 12:07 pm |

Honesty Dick

Well Dicky, maybe you should be a little more honest and describe all the pieces of the bill, not just the portion including the tax cuts. I mean, how hard is it to write "Bush tax cut bill is extended until FY2012." on a sheet of paper? For someone who likes funding little pet projects like you, it's VERY hard. But it's much easier to simply blame someone else, heck it's won you and others elections for almost 10 years.

September 26, 2010 12:10 pm at 12:10 pm |

vic, Nashville TN

After reading today news paper I have confidant that After November 3rd Democrats will have votes republicans who lost to tea party will vote
smart move by democrats

September 26, 2010 12:12 pm at 12:12 pm |

King

Thats the best decision the dems did in while. Let the repugs deal with it. Every thing you guys do these brain washed people bitch about it even the small business bill that meant to help out the middle class. The rich, baggers, and repugs find a way to convince them this was a bad thing. There is nothing dems can do to convince and to stare them away from the devastatiing bush tax break policies that shipped millions of jobs abroad. Corporate dont give a dam about our economy the only loyalty is to their share holders who want that money. Keep lessenning to the baggers and repugs and let the rich bankrupt again this time it might be permanent.

September 26, 2010 12:25 pm at 12:25 pm |

GoodComedy

Durbin is correct on one thing. The Tea Party is helping the democrats and hurting the republicans.I am an Independent and the Tea Party's views are kinda extreme! I am not in Nevada or Delaware but Sharon Angle is a DOPE and Christine O'Donnell is NUTS! Then take a look at the democrats Harry Reid is DUMB too...Coons does not seem that bad..GOOD LUCK Delaware and Nevada...

September 26, 2010 12:29 pm at 12:29 pm |

jim

What planet does Durbin live on?The republicans don't have any power to do stop anything. Democrats have been in control of Congress since 2006 and the WH sinnce 2008.Please wake up Americans and realize we are being played by insincere politicans.

September 26, 2010 12:33 pm at 12:33 pm |

GoodComedy

Why all of sudden the republicans are so concerned about spending?...Politicians really think we have Alzheimers ,Dementia and no memory........Tea Party is cuckoo...For some good laughs go look at Christine O'Donnell's video clips thru the years...What a NUTTER!

September 26, 2010 12:33 pm at 12:33 pm |

GoodComedy

Obama is LAZY and I voted for him.....If a sports team is heading to the white house he will be there...If not he is on vacation....

September 26, 2010 12:43 pm at 12:43 pm |

Ken

Time to make the Republicants ACTUALLY filibuster. Take the floor and talk until they are blue in the face. Let America SEE what the Republicants REALLY stand for.